Post-Al Falah, Haryana expands control, can shut private universities over national security concerns

With the Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passing in the assembly, the state government’s power over private universities is set to expand significantly. Once notified, the government will have far greater say in the regulation, administration and, in exceptional cases, dissolution of private universities.

The amendment modifies the Haryana Private Universities Act, 2006, and introduces a detailed legal framework for government intervention in cases of serious administrative failures, academic irregularities or national security-related violations, according to the Bill.

The amendment is being widely seen as a response to the Al Falah University case. The private university in Faridabad was allegedly at the centre of the planning and execution of the Delhi Red Fort blast in early November. The note with the Bill does not mention the university but the new provisions include penalties for “any grave lapse” in matters related to “national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, public security, law and order”.

The “ statement of objects and reasons” attached to the Bill says the government reviewed the original law and found several provisions with loopholes that allowed some private universities to introduce new courses, increase intake or change course nomenclature without explicit state approval.

Introducing the Bill in the Haryana assembly, higher education minister Mahipal Dhanda said the amendment was intended to “streamline procedures” and protect public interest. He told legislators that the law was not aimed at routine interference in academic functioning but at addressing exceptional situations involving serious lapses.

Almost as an afterthought, the Bill also proposes the establishment of a University of Design, Innovation and Technology in Gurugram. Haryana, especially its Gurugram and Sonepat districts, have some of India’s best-known private universities, including Ashoka University, OP Jindal Global University, Amity University, SRM University and others.

‘Phased dissolution’ of private universities

A key part of the amendment is the addition of Section 44B, which explains how the government can shut down a private university in a step-by-step manner.

An addition to the “special powers” with the state in Section 46 defines the sort of “grave lapses” that could lead the state to seize total control over the university and ultimately dissolve it. Under this provision, if the state government believes a university has committed serious violations, such as endangering national security, allowing unlawful or anti-national activities on campus, or acting against public interest, it can dissolve the university’s governing bodies and appoint an administrator to take over its functioning.

Under the amended law, the administrator will take over all the powers of the university’s governing body and management. The administrator will run the university’s academic affairs, handle its finances, and take control of its assets and property, while working under the supervision of the state government.

The law also focuses on protecting students. Under Section 44B, the administrator is required to make sure that current students are able to complete their studies and receive their degrees. The university will continue to operate until the final batch of students graduates. After that, the university will be officially shut down, and its assets and liabilities will be handed back to the institution’s sponsoring body.

Control over courses, admissions; penalties

The amendment also gives the government greater control over new courses and admissions. Private universities will now need clear permission from the state government before admitting students to a new course for the first time. Earlier, approvals were sometimes treated as granted if the government did not respond within a set time, but this provision has now been removed.

The amendment also gives the government greater control over new courses and admissions. Private universities will now need clear permission from the state government before admitting students to a new course for the first time. Earlier, approvals were sometimes treated as granted if the government did not respond within a set time, but this provision has now been removed

The amended law introduces stricter penalties for violations. Private universities may face fines ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore, have admissions to certain faculties suspended or, in extreme cases, face dissolution. If the institution fails to take corrective measures within 30 days of a penalty being imposed, the government can proceed with dissolution without further notice.

Opposition warns of excessive control

Opposition legislators, including Raghubir Singh Kadyan, raised concerns during assembly debates, warning that the amendment grants sweeping powers to the state and could undermine the autonomy of private universities. Several opposition members argued that appointing administrators without clear academic qualifications could lead to excessive bureaucratic control.

The government has rejected these concerns. Dhanda told the assembly that the powers would be used only in “exceptional circumstances” and were necessary to safeguard students, public interest and national security. He also stressed that academic continuity was built into the law.

For students enrolled in private universities, the government has stated that degrees awarded during any period of administration will remain valid. This assurance is explicitly mentioned in the provisions dealing with phased dissolution, which prioritise completion of courses and award of degrees.